Wolfsburg, Stuttgart cruise to wins

Wolfsburg began the 2011-12 Bundesliga campaign in convincing fashion as they slayed FC Cologne 3-0 on Saturday.

Patrick Helmes broke the deadlock in the 16th minute before a late red card for Cologne's Milivoje Novakovic dented the home side's chances of claiming a point. Marcel Schafer then doubled Wolfsburg's lead and Helmes netted his second of the game to wrap up the result.

Bundesliga new boys FC Augsburg earned a point in their opening match of the campaign, playing out an entertaining 2-2 stalemate with SC Freiburg. Papiss Demba Cisse put Freiburg ahead, but Sascha Molders restored parity only for Cedric Makiad to swiftly restore their Freiburg's lead. However, with ten minutes remaining, Molders pinched a draw.

Hannover 96 were 2-1 victors against TSG Hoffenheim in a match of two penalties. Jan Schlaudraff handed Hannover 96 a 14th-minute advantage before Sejad Salihovic kept his cool from the penalty spot. Mohammed Abdellaoue then also bagged a spot-kick to secure all three points for Hannover 96.

Hertha Berlin's return to the Bundesliga ended in disappointment as Tomas Pekhart's 80th-minute goal earned Nurnberg a 1-0 win and all three points. The visitors were good value for the victory, creating most of the chances in front of a crowd of 61,118 at the Olympic Stadium.